South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1887-10-28
The Widows Daughter.
BY sERGT. BADGER.

In the winter of 1864, while portion
OF my regiment, the New York Twenty
fifth Cavalry, was Mt Pleasant Valley,
Nd, to obtain a remount, word was re-
ceived by the post commander that a
Confederate scout named VIM.
Baxter but who was known to us rs
BILLY Bowlegs" was on visit to his
mother who lived between the Poto-
mac at that point and village in Vir-
ginia called Uniontown. There were a
number of Col. Kanes "Bucktails"
scouting for the Fedcrals and making
Pleasant Valley their headquarters, and
as had been detailed on several occa-
slons for scont service, and had made
good record | was instructed to select
five men and cross the river and secure
BILLY" dead or alive. The fact that
he was at home was fully established,
and the location of the farm house was
known to two Of the men who accom-
panied me. We were ferried across the
Potomac one evening at dusk Just where
the long highway bridge had been
burned and then we had walk of about
eleven miles TO make.
Although ''Billy Bowlegs" was fear
less man and a handy shot, we didn't
figure that it needed five men to cap
ture him. The country between the
river and Upiontown was then overrun
with bushwhackcrs and guerrilas. and
we anticipated more or less trouble
with them
The scout had been twice captured by
the Fcdcrals, and he was described to
us as of slender build, medium height
fair complexion aud dark eyes. Enough
was known about his nerve to know
that he would not be taken alive if he
had any show to fight and therefore as
we approached the house about mid
night from across n field we were
anxiously wondering how we should get
at him. If we knocked at the door he
would be alarmed and have time to arm
himself If we broke it in we might and
probably should find him in bed. II was
still, clear night, rather cold. and we
hung about for half an hour before adopt-
ing a plan. Then we decided TO break
in the doors. Two Of us went 20 In,
front and two to the back door. while
the fifth man stood ready to receive the
scout in case he dropped from second
story window supposed to be in his bed
room. We crcpt softly mp, and at n
signal-bot doors were burst -. No.
they weren't Neither Of them gave an
inch under the pressure, and ~ response
10 the efforts VIC made woman's voice
called out:
"Who is it, and what's wantcdF
open :hc door or we'll break il
down"
'Wait one minutcw
She struck light. and we heard her
moving about and in couple Of min.
utcs the front door opened and gray
haired woman Of 80 stood there with
candle in her hand.
Union soldiers, CHI Come right in.
she said smiling as # glad to sec US.
IPostcd three Of tho men around the
house and entered with the other. and
as soon as | was inside, ! said.
MADAM, wc have come for your son.
We know lac is here. We shall take
him dead or alive"
"Oh, you have come for Billy. have
YOU exclaimed a girl about Is years oil
age who came running down stair, nj
that moment. Excuse me, gentlemen
for not being fully dressed, but YOU sec
you didn't send us any word"
She laughed in q merry way, while
the mother smiled good-na'urcdly. She
had on acat fitting calico dress, q rib
bon at her throat, and except that tc.
hair looked "tumbled' She looked